Medical device and method for stimulating a physiological event in a patient with a stimulation intensity automatically adapting to the physical activity of the patient
First Claim
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1. A medical device implantable in a patient, comprising:
- means for stimulating a physiological event in a patient at an adjustable stimulation intensity;
means for automatically adapting adjustment of the stimulation intensity to the physical activity of said patient, including sensor means for generating a signal corresponding to said physical activity and means for setting a sensitivity of said stimulation intensity to said signal, said sensitivity normally having a normal value;
means for calculating a value corresponding to said stimulation intensity;
means for comparing said value to a threshold;
means for calculating a duration during which said value is below said threshold;
means for comparing said duration to a minimum duration; and
means for lowering said sensitivity to a sensitivity value less than said normal value if said duration exceeds said minimum duration.
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Abstract
An implantable medical device for stimulating a physiological event in a patient at a stimulation intensity includes circuitry for adapting the stimulation intensity to the physical activity of the patient with refernce to a parameter contained within a physical activity signal obtained from a sensor. Circuitry is also provided for reducing, under certain circumstances, the sensitivity for the parameter of the physical activity signal which is used to adapt the stimulatin intensity. Reducing the sensitivity ensues dependent on the time over which the stimulation intensity is below a defined threshold. A method for operating the device is also disclosed.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A medical device implantable in a patient, comprising:
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means for stimulating a physiological event in a patient at an adjustable stimulation intensity; means for automatically adapting adjustment of the stimulation intensity to the physical activity of said patient, including sensor means for generating a signal corresponding to said physical activity and means for setting a sensitivity of said stimulation intensity to said signal, said sensitivity normally having a normal value; means for calculating a value corresponding to said stimulation intensity; means for comparing said value to a threshold; means for calculating a duration during which said value is below said threshold; means for comparing said duration to a minimum duration; and means for lowering said sensitivity to a sensitivity value less than said normal value if said duration exceeds said minimum duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for operating a medical device implantable in a patient, comprising the steps of:
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stimulating a physiological event in a patient at an adjustable stimulation intensity; automatically adapting adjustment of the stimulation intensity to the physical activity of said patient, including sensing the physical activity of said patient and generating an electrical signal corresponding thereto; setting a sensitivity of said stimulation intensity to said signal, said sensitivity normally being set at a normal value; calculating a value corresponding to said stimulation intensity; comparing said value to a threshold; calculating a duration during which said value is below said threshold; comparing said duration to a minimum duration; and lowering said sensitivity to a sensitivity value less than said normal value if said duration exceeds said minimum duration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification